The search is on for “Unstoppable Africans”. The Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) has opened nominations for a new community-led campaign to recognise and celebrate entrepreneurs, business leaders and changemakers whose ideas, leadership and actions are driving Africa’s economic transformation.
The search for Africa’s “Unstoppable Africans” is under way. The Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) has opened nominations for a community-led campaign to recognise and celebrate entrepreneurs, business leaders and changemakers whose ideas, leadership and actions are helping to drive the continent’s economic transformation.
The global call comes ahead of Unstoppable Africa 2026 , GABI’s flagship event, which will take place in New York on 20 and 21 September. The event is co-convened by the United Nations and African Union and organised by the UN Global Compact.
Building on the momentum of the four previous Unstoppable Africa gatherings, the campaign aims to shine a light on business leaders whose work reflects the innovation, resilience and ambition shaping Africa’s economies.
An “Unstoppable African” is defined as someone whose vision, courage or actions are expanding what is possible in their community, industry, country or across the continent. GABI is calling on people in Africa and around the world to nominate individuals whose leadership is creating meaningful change and influencing the continent’s present and future.
The campaign will focus on five areas: energy, digital transformation, trade, creative industries and sport.
The energy category will recognise leaders working to advance sustainable, reliable and affordable energy solutions. Digital transformation will highlight those helping to build Africa’s digital economy through technology, innovation and infrastructure. The trade category will focus on individuals creating economic opportunities, strengthening regional commerce and helping African businesses expand.
The creative industries category will celebrate those building sustainable businesses in film, music, fashion, art and design, while contributing to the growth of Africa’s wider creative economy. Sport will recognise athletes, investors, administrators and innovators who are using the sector to create jobs, develop industries and unlock new economic opportunities.
Through the #UnstoppableAfricans campaign, GABI aims to create a global platform for people whose leadership and ideas are helping to shape Africa’s future, but whose achievements may not yet have received wider recognition.
UN Assistant Secretary-General Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, said the initiative was intended to bring greater visibility to the people driving Africa’s economic growth.
“With 12 of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies in Africa, the continent’s contribution to business, trade and investment continues to grow,” she said. “Every day, African entrepreneurs, innovators and business leaders are shaping industries, driving markets and strengthening economies.
“Through the Unstoppable Africans campaign, we want to recognise these changemakers, celebrate their achievements and provide a global platform to share their stories. We encourage people across Africa and around the world to nominate the individuals whose work deserves to be seen and recognised.”
Nominations opened on 15 July and will remain open until 9 September. Individuals can nominate themselves or someone else whose ideas, leadership or work is driving business, investment, innovation or economic opportunity in one or more of the five focus areas.
Nominations can be submitted through the campaign’s online nomination form .
Following the close of nominations, GABI will select five changemakers, one from each focus area, to feature in the #UnstoppableAfricans storytelling series ahead of Unstoppable Africa 2026 . Their stories will be presented to a global audience of business leaders, investors, policymakers and partners, highlighting the people helping to shape the continent’s economic future.
Held under the theme “Powering Business, Scaling Economies, Shaping the Future”, Unstoppable Africa 2026 will take place at the Marriott Marquis in New York on 20 and 21 September.
Those wishing to attend the event can register through the Unstoppable Africa website .
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Africa’s ‘Unstoppable’ business leaders take centre stage
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